In a historic military achievement, Ukraine's naval drone forces successfully shot down two Russian Su-30SM fighter jets over the Black Sea using unmanned surface vessels (USVs), marking the first-ever fighter aircraft kills by drone boats in military history.
The unprecedented attacks occurred on May 2, 2025, when Ukraine's special operations unit, working alongside the Security Service and Defence Forces, deployed the advanced Magura V7 naval drone equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to target and destroy the Russian Flanker jets.
The Magura V7, an 8-meter vessel optimized for rough seas, represents a major evolution in naval drone warfare. Unlike its predecessor models designed for kamikaze-style attacks, the V7 features elevating missile launch rails enabling flexible engagement of aerial targets up to 10 kilometers away.
"This achievement demonstrates the reshaping of tactical doctrine in real-time," said a Ukrainian military spokesperson. "Our naval drone program has progressed from anti-ship operations to a legitimate air defense capability."
The success follows Ukraine's earlier breakthrough in December 2024, when a Magura V5 naval drone downed a Russian Mi-8 helicopter using repurposed R-73 air-to-air missiles. However, destroying two advanced fighter jets marks a dramatic escalation in drone warfare capabilities.
For Russian forces, these attacks represent a serious new threat, as missile-armed USVs can now engage aircraft operating at low altitudes over maritime areas. Military analysts suggest this development could have far-reaching implications for naval and air warfare doctrine globally.
The Ukrainian naval drone program continues to demonstrate increasing sophistication, from early ramming attacks against ships to the current precision missile strikes against fast-moving fighter aircraft. This latest evolution signals a new chapter in modern warfare, with autonomous surface vessels emerging as versatile platforms for both maritime and air defense operations.